Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

Press Review

Yesterday the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially declined unilateral security guarantees offered by Russia. A statement handed to Russian Ambassador Mr. Udaltsov says that unilateral guarantees do not comply with the "spirit of new Europe". The document stresses the importance of enlarged and reformed European and trans-Atlantic bodies along with broad co-operation as the main elements of European security. The Latvian side calls upon Russia to participate more actively in regional co-operation and to strengthen its relations with European and trans-Atlantic organizations. The statement expresses hope for a further dialogue with Russia and for developing neighborly relations between Latvia and Russia.

Yesterday the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially declined unilateral security guarantees offered by Russia. A statement handed to Russian Ambassador Mr. Udaltsov says that unilateral guarantees do not comply with the "spirit of new Europe". The document stresses the importance of enlarged and reformed European and trans-Atlantic bodies along with broad co-operation as the main elements of European security. The Latvian side calls upon Russia to participate more actively in regional co-operation and to strengthen its relations with European and trans-Atlantic organizations. The statement expresses hope for a further dialogue with Russia and for developing neighborly relations between Latvia and Russia. Diena

The governing factions invited the Party for National Reforms/the Green Party faction to join the coalition. Faction Chairman Andrejs Krastins told

The governing factions invited the Party for National Reforms/the Green Party faction to join the coalition. Faction Chairman Andrejs Krastins told "DIENA" that he expected his faction to accept the proposal. The faction has six members. Green Party member Indulis Emsis holds the posts of a State minister. Currently, the governing coalition has 66 seats in the Saeima. Diena

Yesterday the Ministry of the Interior held a press-conference on the problem of illegal residents. According to the CID, six thousand Latvia's inhabitants do not have any legal status in the country. CID Deputy-Director Andris Leins suggests to define the status of such persons and to legalize their stay in the country. He stressed that their documents should be thoroughly examined as for their citizenship status. Mr. Leins noted that the CID had registered 7,995 Russian citizens residing in Latvia while the Russian Embassy gave a figure of 50 to 60 thousand. Draft amendments to the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens submitted by the Ministry of the Interior to the Cabinet of Ministers on July 30, 1997, to resolve the problem were declined by the Cabinet. The Ministry hopes that the Government will pay adequate attention to the issue of illegal residents.

Yesterday the Ministry of the Interior held a press-conference on the problem of illegal residents. According to the CID, six thousand Latvia's inhabitants do not have any legal status in the country. CID Deputy-Director Andris Leins suggests to define the status of such persons and to legalize their stay in the country. He stressed that their documents should be thoroughly examined as for their citizenship status. Mr. Leins noted that the CID had registered 7,995 Russian citizens residing in Latvia while the Russian Embassy gave a figure of 50 to 60 thousand. Draft amendments to the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens submitted by the Ministry of the Interior to the Cabinet of Ministers on July 30, 1997, to resolve the problem were declined by the Cabinet. The Ministry hopes that the Government will pay adequate attention to the issue of illegal residents.

The

The Saeima Human Rights Committee suggested amendments to the Latvia legislation that would allow non-citizens to work as lawyers, private detectives and certified pharmaceutists. The Committee is currently drafting the amendments allowing non-citizens to work as veterinary surgeons. The State Human Rights Office believes that Latvia must still go further and should abolish all the restrictions related to the private sector that contradict Latvia's obligations in the human rights domain. SM